Global Staff Team (GST) Meeting was Co-hosted by APAY and YMCA of Korea
Last Updated (Monday, 15 January 2024 08:58)
Global Staff Team (GST) Meeting was Co-hosted by APAY and YMCA of Korea
Global Staff Team (GST) Meeting
Global Staff Team (GST) members meet regularly to share the current status of YMCA movement of each region and to collaboratively develop the global strategy, positioning, and visibility. The GST consists of seven professional leadership: Secretary General of the World YMCA, the General Secretaries of the Area Alliances (Africa, Asia and Pacific, Europe, Latin America and Caribbean), and representatives of YUSA and YMCA Canada.
This
year, the GST meeting was held on October 3-7 in Seoul and Jeju Island, South
Korea, co-hosted by Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs (APAY) and NCY-Korea.
Seven YMCA leaders discussed the important agendas such as the Areas Update and
Vision 2030 implementation, also had various meaningful side events such as the
press conference for peace on Korean Peninsula, visit to Demilitarized zone
(DMZ) between South and North Korea, meeting with Jeju Governor, and visit to
the site of APAY Jeju office and soon-to-be YMCA Global Peace & Ecology
Center.
Press Conference for Peace on the Korean Peninsula
The
press conference with the title ‘World YMCA Leaders solidify with Korean civil
society to Protect Peace on the Korean Peninsula’ was held on October 4 in
Seoul, South Korea. The statement was released by GST members to call for i) end-of-war declaration on the Korean Peninsula, ii) conclusion of a peace agreement, iii) denuclearization of Korean Peninsula, and iv) establishment of the World YMCA Pyongyang* Liaison Office.
The statement also mentioned that the peace movement on the Korean Peninsula
can play a key role in establishing peace in East Asia and the world. (*Pyongyang is the capital city of North
Korea.)
The
matter of the World YMCA Pyongyang liaison office was adopted in the resolution
at the 2018 Chiang Mai YMCA World Council and again at the 2022 Aarhus Denmark
World Council. Carlos Sanvee, Secretary General of World YMCA said “The core
content of the resolution is to establish a World YMCA liaison office in
Pyongyang. I look forward for North Korea to open the door for the necessary
dialogue.” He also added “I am ready to visit Pyongyang at any time.” APAY also
showed its support for the liaison office by establishing a Task Force for
peace building on the Korean Peninsula in 2021 and by adopting a resolution for
peace on Korean Peninsula at the 21st General Assembly in India this
year.
The related statement and resolutions can be found by clicking each item below:
- Resolution at 2018 19th YMCA World Council
- Resolution at 2022 20th YMCA World Council
Visit to Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)
The
South Korea and North Korea have been divided since 1945, even more with the
Korean war in 1950, resulting in the creation of the border with the Demilitarized
zone (DMZ) as a barrier. On October 3, the GST members had the opportunity to visit
the Paju Unification Observatory in the DMZ area.
In front of the statue of the late Cho Man-sik, former General Secretary of Pyongyang YMCA |
During
their visit to the Observatory, looking towards North Korea in the far, GST members
realized the tragic division of the Korea over 78 years and military tension
between the two Koreas. In particular, the Manghyangdan deeply resonated with them,
providing a strong sense of the heart-wrenching reality of families torn apart
by the division. (*Manghyangdan is an
offering set where individuals or groups perform a ritual in memory of the
missing or separated family member due to the division.)
Afterwards,
they visited the Hantan-river UNESCO Global Geopark in the neighboring cities
of Pocheon and Yeoncheon, where the unique volcanic landform and conservation
of the nature were impressive. Like Hantan-river, the river that flows from the
North Korea to South Korea, there remains the hope for the unobstructed
connection with the peace reconciliation and solidarity between the two Koreas.
Visit to the Site of APAY Jeju Office and YMCA Global Peace & Ecology Center
GST
members visited the site of APAY Jeju office building and YMCA Global Peace
& Ecology Center (GPEC). A nice walk along the future GPEC campsite and
APAY Jeju office building left a deep impression to the GST members who agreed
and supported the vision of the GPEC.
Thanks
to the hard work with big financial contribution by the NCY-Korea, the
construction of APAY Jeju office will be completed in the near future. With the
advantage of Jeju’s 30-day visa-free entry option for nationals from many
countries except for a few in the AP region, APAY Jeju office will provide a safe
and stable platform for diverse gatherings, in particular, for the young people.
The
GPEC is a grant project of the NCY-Korea along with APAY in cooperation with Y-USA
and World YMCA, to provide an inspirational education/training platform for
youths to learn from each other as well as discuss and imagine life, ecology,
climate, and peace in solidarity. The various global exchange programs will take
place at the GPEC which is designed to be “green” buildings that run with
renewable energy, and the campground surrounded by untouched nature will be used
fully by the youths for their learning, interacting and networking.
Meeting with Jeju Governor
Oh
Young-hoon, Jeju Governor warmly welcomed the GST member’s visit to Jeju, ‘an Island
of World Peace’ with the YMCA flag. The Governor emphasized to explore the
collaboration opportunities between APAY and public institutes and support the projects
that give dreams and hope to the next generation. Carlos Sanvee, Secretary
General of World YMCA responded with gratitude for the support and cooperation,
saying that APAY office and GPEC in Jeju will be a great steppingstone for the ‘Sustainable
Planet’ pillar of Vision 2030.
Quality Time with the Members of NCY-Korea
GST
members had a great time with the members of NCY-Korea to learn more about the
history of Korea YMCAs/civil society and Korean cultures. This quality times
with amazing Korean dishes were hosted by Kim Shin-Hyang, President of NCY-Korea
and Yoon Jang-Hyun, former President of NCY-Korea. GST members expressed their sincere
appreciation to the said hosts, NCY-Korea, and APAY for the warm hospitality.
~ By Yura Rhee, Secretary for Youth Empowerment and Admin, APAY &
Daeun Yang, International Secretary, NCY-Korea
Global
Staff Team (GST) members meet regularly to share the current status of YMCA
movement of each region and to collaboratively develop the global strategy,
positioning, and visibility. The GST consists of seven professional leadership:
Secretary General of the World YMCA, the General Secretaries of the Area
Alliances (Africa, Asia and Pacific, Europe, Latin America and Caribbean), and representatives
of YUSA and YMCA Canada.
This
year, the GST meeting was held on October 3-7 in Seoul and Jeju Island, South
Korea, co-hosted by Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs (APAY) and NCY-Korea.
Seven YMCA leaders discussed the important agendas such as the Areas Update and
Vision 2030 implementation, also had various meaningful side events such as the
press conference for peace on Korean Peninsula, visit to Demilitarized zone
(DMZ) between South and North Korea, meeting with Jeju Governor, and visit to
the site of APAY Jeju office and soon-to-be YMCA Global Peace & Ecology
Center.